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Chapter 22
Chapter 22
I deeply regretted not giving Julian a key.
But his voice provided immense comfort. I calmed down, calculated the distance to the door, and realized that with Victor’s impaired mobility, if I could just get past him and run quickly enough, I could let Julian in.
Faster, just a little faster.
I sprinted with all my might. Victor’s expression changed as he lunged to grab me, but only managed to catch the edge of my clothing.
As my hand touched the doorknob, tears spilled down my face.
But the door seemed damaged–the deadbolt was stuck in its slot, refusing to budge no matter how hard I tried.
Victor’s face contorted grotesquely as he turned, his cane making a horrific scraping sound against the polished floor.
I desperately struggled with the handle, crying out:
“It won’t open, Julian! It won’t open!”
Julian’s pounding stopped. When he spoke, his voice carried forced calm despite the congestion:
“Don’t panic. I’m right here. Try once more, and if it doesn’t work, step aside. I’ll kick it down!”
As Victor approached, I took a deep breath and rotated the lock several times.
“Click.” The door unlocked.
Victor lunged forward, grabbing my collar and yanking me backward. A cold knife pressed against my throat as his revolting voice said:
“Ah, you’re here. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Julian raised his hand, trying to control his emotions:
“Don’t do anything rash. Put the knife down first.”
Victor’s expression twisted bizarrely:
“See my leg? Thanks to you, Julian Storm. How should I repay you?”
He tossed his cane toward Julian.
“What did you use that day? A golf club? This will work just as well. Go on, cripple yourself!
“I know exactly what sound it makes when you use full force. Put some effort into it, or this knife goes into her
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Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF. Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 22
throat.”
I desperately shook my head at Julian, who stared fixedly at the knife against my neck. Resignedly, he picked up the
cane and said:
“I was the one who attacked you that day. She has nothing to do with this. Focus on me,”
One strike, two strikes… Dull, heavy impacts resonated through the room.
Sweat covered Julian’s forehead. With each blow, his body visibly shuddered.
Yet even as he weakened and fell to his knees, he didn’t stop.
“Stop it! Julian! Stop!” I screamed.
He summoned all his strength to look up at me, but his gaze was growing unfocused.
Victor laughed coldly in my ear, tapping my face with the cold knife.
“Patience. After I destroy his legs and scar your face, we’ll be even.”
He dragged me to the sofa, his grotesque face inches from mine, covered in centipede–like scars.
The knife trailed across my cheek as he mused:
“Where to start? First the skin, then the nose, finally the eyes.”
I closed my eyes in agony, and when he wasn’t looking, my hand secretly reached into my purse for the lipstick–disguised knife and thrust it downward.
Victor reacted quickly, catching the blade with his hand, but pain made him loosen his grip.
The knife clattered to the floor, and I stumbled toward the door.
Julian could barely speak. I cradled his face, calling his name. But he weakly opened his eyes, seemed relieved to see me, then slowly closed them again.
I tried dragging him outside, but he was too heavy, and my legs had no strength. He didn’t budge.
Victor retrieved his knife, and I faced him with my tiny blade, completely outmatched.
He approached with disturbing calmness.
“I’m already ruined. How perfect to take you both with me.”
When he was less than six feet away, he lunged at me with a crazed howl.
I instinctively bent to shield Julian. But the expected pain never came.
I opened my eyes to see Raine standing between us. He grunted in pain as he restrained Victor’s arms.
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Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 22
Blood dripped–slowly at first, then with increasing speed–onto the floor.
Grimacing, Raine pushed Victor backward until he toppled, his head smashing against a nearby glass coffee table.
Glass shattered everywhere. Victor lay motionless.
Raine turned to look at me, a massive bloodstain spreading across his chest. Seeing I was unharmed, he exhaled deeply before collapsing to his knees.
As he fell, he seemed to be saying something, though his voice was too faint to hear clearly.
I desperately patted Julian’s face, sobbing: “Wake up! Julian! Wake up!”
His face was paper–white. His brow twitched slightly, and though his eyes remained closed, his lips moved to
reassure me:
“It’s okay. Everything’s okay.”
I held him tightly, my tears smearing across his face.
1- the Spotlight
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.